What does dissemblance mean?
Dissemblance is a formal noun referring to the concealment of one's true feelings, motives, or character behind a false outward appearance. A person guilty of dissemblance is not merely private or reserved but actively deceptive, presenting a face to the world that differs from what lies beneath. The word derives from the verb 'dissemble,' which combines the negative prefix 'dis-' with a root meaning 'to seem' or 'to be like' — so etymologically it suggests an appearance that does not correspond to reality. It is most at home in literary, historical, and elevated prose, often describing courtiers, politicians, or characters whose survival depends on masking their intentions. Because it implies deliberate hypocrisy rather than simple discretion, dissemblance carries a distinctly critical connotation, and it remains a precise, expressive choice for writers who want a weightier alternative to words like 'pretense' or 'dissimulation.'
nounThe concealment of one's real feelings, thoughts, or intentions behind a false outward appearance; the act of dissembling or pretending.
- The act of concealing one's true feelings, motives, or character under a false outward appearance; pretense or hypocrisy.
"Behind his cheerful dissemblance lay a deep anxiety about the deal falling through."
"Her calm smile was pure dissemblance; inside she was furious at the verdict."
"The courtier's life was one long exercise in flattery and dissemblance."
Rarely used in the plural, since the word usually denotes a general practice or quality; the plural appears mainly when counting distinct instances of deception.
"The memoir catalogues the small dissemblances that kept the family's troubles hidden for decades."
Dissemblance and resemblance come from the very same root — one means looking alike, the other means deliberately making yourself look unlike what you really are.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dissemblance
Dissemblance comes from the verb 'dissemble,' which entered English from Old French 'dessembler,' formed from the prefix 'des-' (expressing reversal) plus 'sembler' ('to seem, to be like'), itself from Latin 'simulare,' derived from 'similis' ('like, resembling'). The word thus literally suggests undoing likeness — presenting an appearance that does not match reality. It shares this Latin root with words such as 'resemble,' 'assemble,' and 'simulate.'
Related word forms
How dissemblance is actually used
Formal and literary in register; rare in everyday speech, where words like 'pretense' or 'faking' are more common. Carries a strongly negative connotation of deliberate deception rather than mere politeness.
Easily confused with dissemblance
Resemblance means similarity in appearance between things, whereas dissemblance means the hiding of one's true feelings or intentions behind a false appearance.
Disassembly is the act of taking something apart (such as a machine), while dissemblance is the concealment of one's true motives or emotions.